People came out in record numbers to vote in this year’s advance polls.
Wednesday was the last of two advance voting opportunities for Saturday’s municipal election.
Peter Wipper, chief election officer, was impressed with this week’s turnout.
“Despite the poor weather, 1,240 voters turned up at yesterday’s advance poll (at the Campbell River Baptist Church),” Wipper said.
That number, combined with the 643 people who cast a ballot in last week’s advance poll, brings the total number to 1,883 which Wipper said “is a new record for voting at the city’s advance polls.”
After last week’s numbers were tallied, it appeared voter turnout would be low, compared with the past two elections. However, such a large turnout this week caused this year’s figure to more than double the advance poll voter turnout in the 2005 election.
To compare, 1,534 total ballots were case at the two advance polls held in 2008 and just 694 were cast at the two advance polls held in 2005.
Overall, 9,537 people, or 40 per cent of the population eligible to vote, cast a ballot in the 2008 election, the highest ever turnout, and the city hopes to increase that number this year.
Voting takes place this Saturday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. in the gym at Discovery Passage school (2050 Pengelley Rd.), Phoenix school (400-7th Ave.) and Southgate school (740 Holm Rd).